Opening Day is Here — Play Ball!

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The eagerness and anticipation for the 2013 college baseball season has finally come to this: Opening Day.

So here we go.

The Aztecs travel eight miles across town to meet USD, which is celebrating the opening of Fowler Park. A great atmosphere is expected. All three games have been sold out and the first two contests are being televised by FOX. There will be radio broadcasts for all three games, including XTRA 1360 AM. Navigate through goaztecs.com to follow the games live on gametracker. Check back here on the blog during and after games to get the in-game information and postgame recaps.

This weekend's schedule and probable pitching matchups (with last season's record):

Friday — SDSU RHP Michael Cederoth (4-4) vs. USD RHP Dylan Covey (6-3), 7 p.m.

Saturday — SDSU RHP Philip Walby (1-3) vs. USD RHP Michael Wagner (5-2), 6 p.m.

Sunday — SDSU RHP Ryan Doran (3-6) vs. USD LHP Louie Lechich (0-0), 1 p.m.

AZTECS LINEUP
Expect sophomore CF Greg Allen (.312, 2 HR, 31 RBI) to be the first batter at Fowler Park, followed by junior 2B Tim Zier (.318, 32 RBI) and sophomore 1B Ryan Muno (.308, 4 HR, 19 RBI). In the middle of the order, look for redshirt sophomore Brad Haynal (.375) and senior Jake Romanski (.289, 23 RBI), trading off at catcher and DH, and freshman third baseman Ty France. Sophomore RF Avondre Bollar (.231, 6 RBI) and junior SS Evan Potter (.190, 12 RBI) will bat toward the bottom of the order, along with the left fielder, a position expected to be manned by either Steven Pallares (.203, 7 RBI) or Matt Munoz (.301, 19 RBI).

ON THE MOUND
Sophomore right-hander Michael Cederoth has stepped into the Friday starter role for the Aztecs. Cederoth started 11 games for SDSU last season, going 4-4 with a 4.14 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. He showed plenty of grit after suffering a broken jaw late in the season at Texas A&M, returning to the mound just two weeks later, pitching four innings to close out UNLV and get the victory in the MWC Tournament. Cederoth is one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the nation, regularly hitting 95-96 mph with his fastball while topping out last season at 101 mph.

NOTABLE
— This is the 75th season of Aztecs baseball. SDSU has a 47-26-1 record in openers, including winning three of its past six opening games.
— The last time SDSU and USD opened the season against each other was in 2008. In SDSU's 11-2 victory that evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium, Stephen Strasburg outpitched Brian Matusz in a matchup of future major leaguers.
— SDSU leads the overall series against USD, which dates back to 1962, with a 65-52-3 record. The Toreros have won the past four meetings, including two games last season at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
— Second baseman Tim Zier and catcher Jake Romanski come into the season with five-game hitting streaks from the 2012 season. Zier had a 21-game streak last season that was the longest since Quintin Berry's 27-game streak in 2005.

Meet the Aztecs: Part V — The Starting Rotation

Bubba Derby (closer) — Justin Hepner — Michael Cederoth — Philip Walby — Ryan Doran

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Let’s get it started.

The Aztecs return nine pitchers who started 53 of the team’s 60 games last season, making it one of the program’s most experienced groups in years.

That total includes 29 starts combined from the three pitchers who comprise this season’s weekend rotation — sophomore right-hander Michael Cederoth (Steele Canyon High), junior right-hander Philip Walby (Scripps Ranch High) and senior right-hander Ryan Doran (Servite High).

 “I love our starting rotation,” said Aztecs pitching coach Eric Valenzuela. “I don’t know how many programs are blessed to have two power arms at the top like we have with Cederoth and Walby and our strike-thrower, Greg Maddux-type of Sunday guy with Doran is pretty neat.”

Michael Cederoth

Cederoth (4-4, 4.14 ERA, 62 SO in 67.1 IP) is among the hardest-throwing pitchers in the country. He was clocked as high as 101 mph last season and his fastball sits in the 95-96 mph range.

He is eager to take the next step in his development, which means being more consistent with his pitch location. It also includes leading the staff as the team’s Friday starter.

“It’s a great opportunity, especially with the group we have right now,” said the 6-foot-6 Cederoth. “It’s an honor because the talent we have on this team is ridiculous.

“And to be the No. 1 starter on this team is really cool. To start it off every series on a high note is a big responsibility, but I think I’m up for it.”

Walby (1-3, 5.60 ERA, 15 SO in 36 IP), with a fastball that ranges from 92-96 mph, has improved vastly over a year ago. His performance in the fall, which included improved command, earned him the Saturday role.

Doran (3-6, 4.50 ERA, 53 SO in 88 IP) returns in the Sunday spot after leading the team in starts (13) and innings last season. He doesn’t throw as hard as Cederoth and Walby, but puts the ball where he wants it better than anyone.

“It’s going to give teams trouble after what they’ve seen for two days,” said Valenzuela, “with a completely different kind of pitcher on Sunday where he can get them to swing the bat. He throws a lot of strikes and mixes up his pitches.”

There are several candidates for weekday starts, but that will be dependent on how things unfold during the weekends.

“If weekend starters can get deep into games,” said Valenzuela, “you’re going to be left with a lot of innings out of your bullpen for Tuesday games.”

Ideally, the Aztecs would be successful enough in a series that they can get by without taxing a potential Tuesday starter much and he can concentrate on being a Tuesday starter.

Junior right-hander Justin Hepner (Carlsbad High) had the best numbers — mostly out of the bullpen — among the returners, going 5-3 with seven saves, a 2.94 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 52 innings over 22 appearances. Hepner made three starts and could be in line for more this year.

Other candidates for spot starts include senior right-hander Travis Pitcher (El Dorado High), who made 10 starts last season, junior right-hander TJ Kendzora (El Toro High), who started seven games, and senior right-hander Ethan Miller (Ayala High), who started twice.

With several new pitchers on the staff, it’s possible another candidate emerges as well.

The weekday situation will shake out as the season progresses. It all comes down to how well Cederoth, Walby and Doran do when they’re handed the ball.

“Our rotation is prepared to be the leaders of our team,” said Doran. “Pitching and defense wins championships, right? And that is what we are after. ...

“I haven’t been around a staff before that’s as tough, as talented and as competitive in my four years of playing college baseball.”

Meet the Aztecs: Part IV — The Bullpen

The SDSU relief corps has a good mix of veterans and newcomers.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — There have been times over the past decade where San Diego State coach Tony Gwynn has watched one — or more — of his pitchers struggle on the mound, but had few options to remedy the situation.

Too many injuries or not enough depth have tied Gwynn’s hands when the situation called for a call to the bullpen.

That won’t be the case this season. The Aztecs will be relieved.

“We’ve got arms. We’ve got arms,” said Gwynn. “I’m thrilled about that. It’s a happy problem.”

“The leash is going to be a little shorter this year. If you’re out there walking the yard, or struggling to throw strikes, we can go get somebody else.”

Aztecs pitching coach Eric Valenzuela is pleased with the mix of veterans and newcomers.

“We’re in a good situation because we have a lot of guys who are deserving to get innings,” said Aztecs pitching coach Eric Valenzuela. “I haven’t been in this situation the past three years. I think everybody’s ready from top to bottom.

“We have some older guys who have some experience and we have some young guys who are deserving of some innings We’re going to see how it all shakes out.”

Bubba Derby

One of the young players who has emerged is freshman Bubba Derby. The right-hander  from LaSalle High has earned the job as closer.

“Derby has really come along as the guy we want at the end of games,” said Valenzuela. “He’s a freshman, inexperienced at this level, but he’s pitched in a lot of big games in high school and done some really good things.

“He’s just very tough. We’re not afraid to throw him into the fire immediately. He has the stuff to win innings — whether it’s one or two or three innings — and he has the mentality of doing it.”

Derby is looking forward to the challenge.

“it doesn’t matter what spot I’m going to be in, there’s going to be pressure,” said Derby. “It’s just a matter of being able to block that out and just do what I do.

“I’ve pitched for good teams and I’ve pitched in front of a lot of scouts before, so I’ve really learned to block everything out. It’s just me and the catcher.”

Setup roles are expected to be filled by seniors Travis Pitcher (El Dorado High) and Ethan Miller (Ayala High) and juniors Justin Hepner (Scripps Ranch High) and TJ Kendzora (El Toro High). The right-handers also will be the first candidates for spot starts in weekday games.

Gwynn said senior Bryan Crabb, a right-hander from Coronado High “has become a 3/4 guy now and he’s getting a lot of movement and getting outs. He’s going to be a factor down there, too.”

Hepner had the most success among the returners, posting a 5-3 record with seven saves, a 2.94 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 52 innings over 22 appearances (three starts).

“The key for success for the team as a whole is to just keep doing things right and rely on each other and believe in ourselves,” said Pitcher. “This season is going to be a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to it.”

As for the bullpen, Pitcher said: “We look great from top to bottom and we didn’t really lose much from last year as far as players and talent go. Our expectations for ourselves are high.”

Three left-handers junior Mitch Bluman (El Camino Real High) and sophomores Mike RoBards (Oceanside High) and Brandon Thomas (Knight High) will fill key situational roles. Bluman also has been swinging the bat and could be a good left-handed option off the bench.

Freshmen looking to make their mark include right-handers Mark Seyler (Agoura Hills High), Zack Oakley (Yuba City High), Dylan McDonald (Eastlake High), Cody Thompson (Alemany High) and Tyler Sapp (Yucaipa High) and left-hander Collin Orellana (San Marcos High).

Oakley is among those making his first trip around the block, but he already has a good sense about the staff.

“We’ve got some flamethrowers who are going to be tough to beat,” he said. “We also have some finesse guys who teams think they should hit, but will walk away scratching their head.”

Added Oakley: “I really feel like we’ve come together as a group and our team chemistry is great. ... When you have a group of guys out their playing with their friends and pulling for one another, it makes the game fun and a whole lot simpler. I’m very proud of this group.”

Meet the Aztecs: Part III — The Outfield

The outfielders (left to right): Justin Gheorghe, Avondre Bollar,
Matt Munoz, Spencer Thornton, Steven Pallares and Greg Allen.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The most dedicated ballplayers are expected to run through a wall if that’s what it takes.

Well, not literally. After all, they do put a warning track in front of the outfield wall.

Of course, there are always those who get carried away — LIKE THIS GUY.

Anyway, San Diego State sophomore center fielder Greg Allen, like his teammates, has been climbing the walls waiting for the season to get here.

Said Allen: “Our pitching staff is great. Our infield is great. We’ve just got to do our job.”

The first opportunity arrives with Friday night’s season opener at USD.

Aztecs coach Tony Gwynn is eager to see his outfielders in game action. If nothing else than to resolve the lineup’s only unresolved position — left field.

An arm injury to sophomore center fielder Spencer Thornton, who is still recovering from last summer’s Tommy John surgery, necessitated shifting Allen from right to center. Sophomore Avondre Bollar is in right. That leaves left, where auditions have been ongoing since the fall.

“I’ve got three guys who were in the infield last year playing the outfield for the first time,” said Gwynn, referring to sophomores Matt Munoz (San Dimas High), Steven Pallares (Santiago High) and Tanner Reibenspies (Chaminade High).

A recent arm injury has sidelined Reibenspies. That leaves Munoz, who hit .301 with 19 RBI last season and has looked the best at the plate, and Pallares, who has played best in the field.

“Both of those guys will get some game time in left field,” said Gwynn. “You’re not going to really know how they do until you get them out there in game situations and see how they react.”

How quickly freshman Justin Gheorghe (North High) adjusts to the college game could bring some needed depth to the outfield, but that remains to be seen.

Gwynn has no such concerns with Allen (Hilltop High), who batted .312 last season with 2 HR, 31 RBI and 11 SB.

“Greg Allen is one of the most complete players you’re going to get,” said Gwynn. “This kid covers a lot of ground, a lot of ground.”

Bollar (Thousand Oaks High), who batted .231 with 6 RBI in limited at-bats last season, has stepped up his game.

“He has been really good for us here in the fall and into the early spring,” said Gwynn. “We need to see him carry it over into the season.”

Getting the left-handed Thornton (Los Osos High) back into the lineup would provide a big boost. He was one of the team’s biggest run producers last season, batting .297 with 27 RBI, and is eager to contribute again.

“We can save a ton of runs by playing efficiently out there,” said Thornton, “and giving the pitchers confidence that if someone hits a ball in the air we will have a guy under it ready to make a catch for an out.”

Said Allen: “Our team speed and the range we have will go a long way in cutting off some of those base hits. Strong arms (help) as well.”

Any concerns in the outfield?

“No,” said Gwynn. “Just, hopefully, guys will stay healthy.”

Here’s one tip: Avoid run-ins with the wall.

Meet the Aztecs: Part II — The Infield

Shortstop Evan Potter and second baseman Tim Zier are veterans now.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — It has been said that the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. The Aztecs have discovered it’s even better when they get to be juniors.

Catcher Brad Haynal recalls looking out from behind the plate during a game two years ago and “everyone in the infield, including the pitcher, was a freshman. We were playing like the No. 5-ranked team in the nation. It was overwhelming.”

Inexperience in the infield made for some long days. There were games where it seemed more balls were kicked   than caught and as many plays were muffed as made.

“When you play as a freshman, like they did, you have to expect that there’s going to be mistakes,” said Aztecs coach Tony Gwynn.

It’s a much different story this season, where junior shortstop Evan Potter (Grossmont High) and junior second baseman Tim Zier (Escondido High) are now three-year starters.

“I think the strength of our club is up the middle with Zier and Potter there,” said Gwynn. “They work really well together.”

Said Potter: “We are very sound defensively. I hope to become a leader and an example for the younger guys on how to play the game right.”

Zier, who batted .318 with 32 RBI and 10 stolen bases last season, was among those selected to the Mountain West Conference preseason all-conference team.

“He’s a solid offensive guy,” said Gwynn. “He’s going to hit second. He can do everything. He’s your prototypical No. 2 guy.”

Potter is in the lineup for his defense, although Gwynn said Potter is “coming along” at the plate after batting .190 with 12 RBI a year ago.

“I’d like to see him be a little more consistent with his approach,” said Gwynn. “He’s working at it and trying to get better. We need him to be a threat.”

Ryan Muno

One of the biggest threats in the lineup is expected to be sophomore first baseman Ryan Muno (Mission Viejo High), who hit .308 with four homers and 19 RBI in his debut last season.

“He has a terrific bat,” said Gwynn. “He’s probably going to hit third for us because he’s our best hitter. He’s got some power.

“What I’m trying to get him to do is just slow down. He knows he’s got a pretty good stroke. You have to wait sometimes to get something to hit. He wants to hit everything. He’s learning, ‘Hey, I have to be a little more patient.’ ”
Muno is learning his way around first base after playing third last season, but no one needs to tell him how important defense is to the Aztecs.
"The infield play is extremely vital to our team," said Muno. "We're not necessarily a team that's going to hit a ton of home runs, so it's really important to play defense behind what I think is one of the premier pitching staffs in the country."

A two-year youth movement is over. When a freshman cracks SDSU’s starting lineup now it is because of ability, not out of necessity.

That’s why freshman Tyler France, from South Hills High in West Covina, will be starting at third base.

Tyler France

“He’s pretty polished over there,” said Gwynn, who sees France hitting anywhere from fourth to sixth in the batting order.“I thought he could step right in and have some success.”

France may be young, but he understands one key to success: “Infield play is extremely important because our defense is what is going to win us games.”

Gwynn said France earned the start at third with “his consistency on the defensive side. He’s got good hands and for a freshman he doesn’t get rushed. He’s always under control.

“He’s making it look easy. That bodes well for us for the future. He could be there for the next three years.”

Potter pointed out the infielder’s depth as well, saying “we have guys who are very versatile and can play any position on the infield.”

Sophomore Tanner Reibenspies (Chaminade High) provided the best example of that versatility, starting at all four infield spots last year. His availability is in question, however, because of an arm injury. Reibenspies hit .320 in limited at-bats last season.

The infielders’ versatility is being put to the test coming into the season. Sophomores Matt Munoz (San Dimas High) and Steven Pallares (Santiago High) are auditioning in the outfield to fill a void created by injury.

Both Munoz, who was among the team leaders last season with a .301 batting average and 19 RBI, and Pallares are likely to get some starts in left field while serving backup roles in the infield.

Senior John Spirk (Fountain Valley High), who hit .234, 4 HR, 21 RBI, will get some chances at first base. Freshman middle infielder Danny Sheehan (South Hills High), who displayed some clutch hitting in the fall, also will get an opportunity.

Zier put the past and the present into perspective: “Our freshman year we had no older guys to watch how it’s done. Our freshmen this year can see, now that we are older, how it’s done. It’s like a calming effect for all the new guys on our team.”

Meet the Aztecs: Part I — The Catchers

Jake Romanski — Brad Haynal — CJ Saylor

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Getting a player to wear the catcher’s shin guards, chest protector and mask usually takes plenty of convincing.

Catcher is not the most glamorous position on the field. In fact, you’re not on the field. It is the only defensive position not in the field of play.

There is something transforming about the position, however. As difficult as it might be to convince someone to catch, once they’ve had a taste of it, getting a catcher to remove the gear is almost impossible.

Brad Haynal, who was a shortstop at Rancho Bernardo High, remembers coming off the field following the last game of his sophomore season and being pulled aside by an assistant coach, who said, “Get yourself some catcher’s gear because you’re going to be our catcher.”

Haynal’s first reaction?

“I was scared,” he said. “I didn’t want to.

“But during summer ball and winter league I got more comfortable and it turned out I had a knack for it.

“They say if you can play shortstop, then you can play anywhere. I’m thankful. I definitely see myself playing catcher the rest of my life.”

Jake Romanski’s opportunity to start as a freshman at Norco High was tied to becoming the team’s catcher.

“I could not see myself playing any other position — nor do I want to,” said Romanski. “You’re in every play of the game. Once you have that feel of the game being in every play, it is not very exciting to play another position.”

The Aztecs are excited about their catcher corps, which is the team’s deepest in a decade.

SDSU picked second in Mountain West coaches poll

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The San Diego State baseball team was picked for second place in the Mountain West Conference for 2013 in a preseason poll of the conference's six head coaches.

Tim Zier

Defending MWC champion New Mexico has picked to win its second straight regular season MWC title after receiving five first-place votes. The Aztecs received one first-place vote. Rounding out the spots in the poll were MWC newcomers Nevada and Fresno State, followed by UNLV and Air Force.

The top four teams in the regular season advance to the MWC Tournament, which is being hosted by Fresno State. The tournament champion receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

SDSU junior second baseman Tim Zier was selected to the preseason all-MWC team. Zier is coming off a season in which he hit .318 with 11 doubles and 10 stolen bases.

SDSU opens the 2013 season with a three-game series against crosstown rival USD. The teams kick off the series Friday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Toreros' new Fowler Park. The Aztecs' home opener is Thursday, February 21, against sixth-ranked Oregon State at 6:00 p.m.

2013 Mountain West Preseason Poll

 Rank Team (first-place votes)   Points

1. New Mexico (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
2. San Diego State (1) . . . . . . . . . . .  26
3. Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
4. Fresno State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
5. UNLV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
6. Air Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7